Although Harry had not spoken with Hagrid all that much yet, he could tell that Hagrid felt a strong sense of belonging at the magic school called Hogwarts where he worked, and loved the place dearly.
A place that made its employees so fond of it had to be a good one, Harry thought. He remembered all too clearly how Vernon Dursley complained about his company every day.
Beyond the silver doors, two more goblins bowed to them and ushered them into a lofty hall with a marble floor. Roughly a hundred goblins sat on tall stools behind two rows of large counters, one on either side. Some were weighing gold and silver coins on metal scales, while others carefully examined gemstones through eyepieces. Still others were making entries in ledgers that looked absurdly large beside their small bodies.
Behind the goblins stood many doors, leading who knew where. Some goblins were guiding people in and out of them, looking quite busy.
Hagrid led Harry toward the counter of a goblin who was not occupied.
"Morning!" Hagrid said. "We've come to take some money out of Harry Potter's vault!" As he spoke, he nudged Harry forward.
"Certainly, Mr. Potter. Have you brought your key?" the goblin behind the counter asked, looking Potter up and down.
His voice was shrill, a little like Aunt Petunia's, but even less pleasant. Still, Harry found this goblin rather interesting. He had not questioned Harry's gender at all because of his appearance. But... a key?
"Oh, yes, I've got it. Got-got it here!"
Beside him, Hagrid slapped his forehead with one large hand, then began rummaging inside his coat.
He pulled an enormous pile of things out of his coat. Most looked like junk to Harry, but then, to his astonishment, he discovered that there was even a live owl among them!
Harry was utterly dumbfounded!
Fortunately, there were no cockroaches, geckos, or anything of the sort. Otherwise, Harry might never have dared let the big man touch him again. Not that Harry was particularly afraid of bugs...
Just as Harry began to worry that this gentle, friendly Hagrid, who really did seem a little dim, might have forgotten the key, Hagrid finally found a small golden one.
Instead of handing it to the goblin, however, he gave it to Harry. "Harry, this is the key to your vault! Make sure you keep it safe! Of course, you'll be getting a wand soon. Once you've registered it, you can use your wand to prove your identity too!"
Harry smacked his lips. By now, Hagrid had mentioned wands several times, but Harry still had not seen one. Hagrid was not holding a wand himself, either, unless...
Harry's gaze drifted toward the little red umbrella tucked against Hagrid's chest.
Nodding, Harry took the key from Hagrid and examined it. Its weight made him suspect that it really was made of gold. Only then did he hand it to the goblin.
The goblin inspected it carefully, then nodded in satisfaction. "Everything appears to be in order."
"Oh, right!" As though suddenly remembering something, Hagrid pulled a letter from another pocket. "I've also got a letter from Professor Dumbledore about 'that thing' in Vault 713. You know the one!" He handed the letter over as he spoke.
The goblin took the letter and read it carefully, then asked with some hesitation, "So early? I thought it would be later."
"Well, yes, this is what Dumbledore arranged." Hagrid seemed a little ill at ease, though he still tried hard to look perfectly composed.
The goblin made no further comment, simply nodding. "Very well. I'll have someone take you there. Griphook!"
A goblin named Griphook led Harry and Hagrid through a door behind one of the counters. Harry looked around curiously, only to find a narrow stone corridor sloping steeply downward beyond it. It was rather dull.
Finding it uninteresting, Harry remembered what Hagrid had said earlier and asked quietly, "Hagrid, what's in Vault 713?"
"Well, that... I can't tell you that!" Hagrid shook his head. "It's a Hogwarts secret. Dumbledore only gave me the job because he trusts me! It's very confidential work. I really can't tell you!"
Harry shrugged and did not press him.
Ahead of them, Griphook led them some distance along the path. Below lay a railway track that ran down to unknown depths beneath the ground...
Then Harry experienced the most thrilling "roller coaster" ride of his life! He silently swore that unless it was absolutely necessary, he would never ride it again.
By the time they emerged from Gringotts, Harry was grinning from ear to ear.
He could not hide his smile at all!
Although Hagrid had already told him that his late father had left him a substantial fortune, actually seeing hundreds of thousands of Galleons before him still sent a surge of excitement through Harry!
The Dursleys treated him reasonably well, but he had never had much pocket money.
Of course, neither had Dudley, so Harry bore no resentment over that.
Resentment or no resentment, actually stuffing over a hundred gold coins into his pockets still left Harry happier than ever.
The only discomfort was that even though each gold coin was only a little larger than a button, over a hundred of them were still quite heavy! Harry's trousers kept sliding down, forcing him to hitch them up every so often. Things only improved when Hagrid noticed and gave him a small pouch made from some kind of leather.
Harry found that little pouch fascinating too!
It did not hold much, but it still had more room inside than its outward appearance suggested. More importantly, even after he put over a hundred gold coins inside, its weight did not increase at all!
Before you continue